If you cannot find a taxi with an infant car seat, definitely use your own even if it is inconvenient. We had an infant seat that fit into a lightweight, foldable wire frame which we took on all cab trips. (We used to live in a city and used cabs to get around.)

Bring along a Baby Bjorn carrier, too. Your little one can snuggle in there, and then you can use the infant car seat stroller as a carrier for your items while you stroll through the streets. Cover bags with a baby blanket.

Be grateful you don't have twins or triplets!



Enjoy yourself, and have fun!

MarthaB, who makes the lightweight foldable car seat? It sounds perfect for what I would want but I've never seen anything like that

Thanks

Jane

The infant car seat and foldable strollers are called stroller travel systems. Here are some from Target:

http://tinyurl.com/2s2koq

Here's a nifty one from Right Start that says it's 20 pounds (seat and frame?) that looks easy to use:

http://tinyurl.com/37gy56

The one I had nine years ago was really light, maybe five pounds or so? Very easy to use, too. I gave it away years ago, so unfortunately, I don't know the manufacturer. It's probably not on the market anymore anyway.

Weight and ease of use are going to be important, so try to check out any of the products if you can. Also, some systems are made for specific brands. The Graco SnugRider works only with Graco seats, so be sure to check that, too.

HTH!

Many thanks Martha. I think I misread you as the lightweight foldable frame you referred to was to the stroller not the car seat. The ones you posted look pretty much like what I have - I'll struggle on!

cheers
j

I must confess I have brought our own baby carseat only once while travelling abroad. It really depends on risk-benefit analysis (of your perception).

You mentioned the taxi ride to/from the airport to the ferry port is the only car ride. How long is the drive? If it is 10minute, I would personally be willing to hold the child. If it is long, say, 30 min or longer, I would recommend you get appropriate gears. But this doesn't mean you have to bring yours.

Instead of hailing a car straight from the airport, my best suggestion would be to hire a car beforehand and request a baby carseat. (OK, you won't know how solid/safe the seat provided would be, but at least it's a better compromise than no gears at all.)

For those of you who suggest bringing one's own car seat, have you ever TRIED installing a carseat when you hailed a cab? What do Manhattan parent do when they take infants in a yellow cab?

BTW, you won't be able to get a guaranteed bassinet on the airplane. The best you can do is to request one, but airliners cannot promise you'll be able to secure one. (Certainly it helps to phone a few days before, then request again when checking-in, and as soon as you board.) Also, you may want to take note that seats that accomodate bassinets don't have seats in front, so the only storage is overhead compartment. And, don't think you can lower the tray for the meals.

I am bringing my 16 month old toddler to Germany in September. I cannot afford a separate seat for him so he is flying as a lap child and I am keeping my fingers crossed that at least 1 seat will remain empty on the flight. IF not I will make do and do a lot of walking laps if he isn't tired. We flew to Montreal in June when he was 1. We didn't take our car seat then either. It takes us 30 mins to get it installed in our own car properly much less in and out of cabs...you can't lock them in place on tour busses or shuttles and the trains didn't have seat belts either.

Yes, I know it is safer but once they are out of the car carrier stage you can't use the "bucket" looking car seat. It is next to impossible to carry the larger booster looking/convertible car seats, push a stroller and your carryon bags plus suitcase. Only the bigger children can use the portable/folding style ones (4+). Have you tried carrying these things? Some are 20+ lbs!

What do Manhattanites do on cabs? Where do they store the car seat upon arrival of their destination? Do they have car seat checks everywhere?

To LittleJane: I was not suggesting the OP rent a car! What I said was that the car services--the livery services or whatever you might want to call the chauffeured cars that one books in advance to pick them up at the airport and drive them to the dock--have access to baby seats when you book them in advance and request such an arrangement.

I was NOT criticizing the OP, just baffled why she won't make it easy on herself since the bringing-of-the-car-seat sounds like a hardship that I would advise against yet the baby's safety must be addressed. For a few dollars more than the taxi, this problem can go away!

Here is a link to a website about flying with kids/infants-
http://www.flyingwithkids.com

And here is another portable carseat option for use with toddlers to older kids- (it's a portable vest)http://www.safetrafficsystem.com/

We lived in downtown Chicago for 10 years and sometimes used cabs to get around (didn't own a car). After awhile, I got pretty good at installing the car seat. I agree that they are a pain in the you-know-what, though.

When we took public transportation, which was often, I used my Baby Bjorn and later carried my kids on when they were toddlers since the steps can be too steep for them to climb easily. The buses were the most dangerous because occasionally the driver would quickly take off before I was properly braced, and I'd lurch about with babies and tots in tow. Some drivers seemed to get a kick out of doing that.

I'm just grateful my kids are out of the infant seat stage. One is still in a booster, though.

We have three preschoolers all the same age, travel a ton and always bring car seats. I agree it isn't easy. However, it can be done. If your baby is still in the infant carrier and has not graduated to the bigger car seat then just bring a snap and go. Practice now getting your baby acclimated to the car seat. Bring one carry on bag filled with all the stuff you will need for the baby on the plane and check the rest of your luggage. It can be done.

If your baby is into the bigger car seats than get a car seat carrier from Right Start. It is a backpack type of thing. Pack the car seat in that, push the baby in the stroller, put your diaper bag/baby bag in the storage area of the stroller or over your shoulder and check everything else.

I have also seen people go through the airport with their kids in baby backpacks which free their hands for other bags. I am guessing a 5 month old is probably too young for those but it is another option.

Many people manage this and you can do, just check as much luggage as you can and only carry on what the baby needs. Gate check the stroller and get the baby used to the car seat. He or she is going to be spending many years in them so they might as well get used to it sooner rather than later.

taitai

It looks like that the travel in a taxi should not take long. It should take <60 minutes from airport to *Capri*, including ferry. Anyway, I found that there is a public bus and if I will manage to move with all the things, I will take it instead of the taxi.
I can not understand why everybody says that I will need a car seat on the plane. I do not have an additional seat, so where I can install it? Also, on the plane I have a reserved seat, and this is a seat next to stationary installed bassinet (I fly Air France). How I can don't get a bassinet then?... Thanks!

That is true. Without a seat for your child, you will not be able to get the car seat on the plane. However, if you can get your child into the car seat and snap and go or stroller or whatever, that will make your trip through the airport, to your gate, through customs and immigration, etc. so much easier. One less thing to carry.

Double check the size of the bassinet. I know my guys are really tall and were long babies and couldn't fit in the airline bassinets.

Have a great trip.

Taitai

Given the way Italians drive and run into each other and other cars, I'd have a car seat and anything else I could use to protect my baby and I know you would too as you are obviously a good and caring Mum.
Cheers.